Why Make Podcast, Wendy Maruyama Episode Part 1 Transcript  Time Code00:00 Robb HelmkampHello and welcome to Why Make, where we talk to makers from different disciplines about what inspires them to make.With your hosts Robb Helmkamp and,  Erik Wolken Erik Wolken. If you would like to learn more about the makers we interview on Why Make please go our website why-make.comRobb HelmkampAnd please help support the Why Make podcast and Why Make productions by making a tax refundable donation to us on Fractured Atlas.Erik WolkenFractured Atlas is our new non profit fiscal sponsor which allows us to access a wide range of funding possibilities including funding available only for non-profits Robb HelmkampVisit  https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/the-why-make-project or go to the donate to Why Make page on Why-Make.com 01:01 Robb HelmkampWelcome to our first podcast of the 2023 season of Why Make. This episode is part one of our in depth conversation with the artist Wendy Maruyama.Erik Wolken Wendy Maruyama is a furniture maker, sculptor and retired educator who resides in San Diego California. Wendy’s work has tackled a wide scope topics from traditional furniture forms to exploring her Japanese heritage and the imprisonment of Japanese Americans during WW2 to the issue of endangered species.Robb HelmkampAs we discuss later in the podcast Wendy was born with significant hearing loss and cerebral palsy and at her request, to aid our listeners, we have included a full transcript of our conversation on our web page for this episode which can be found on the podcast page of why-make.com It can also be found in the episode notes on Apple podcastsErik WolkenPlease join us and take a listen to our wide ranging discussion with one of the more amazing artists in the woodworking field, Wendy Maruyama.02:03  Erik Wolken Okay, are we ready to have a very serious conversation about nothing?Wendy MaruyamaOh, yeah that will be fine by my book.Erik Wolken We'd like to welcome Wendy Maruyama to the Why Make? Podcast.Robb Helmkamp Welcome Wendy. Welcome to Why Make!Wendy MaruyamaThank you! Thank you for having me, you guys.Erik Wolken The question we always start the podcast with is: What is your first memory of making something?02:00 Wendy MaruyamaWell, you know, I can remember when I was maybe four or five years old, my mom used to bring home these little art kits, craft kits, maybe not coloring books. But things that you had to like put together. And I remember very distinctly a paper cutout book where we had to fold them and they were sort of kinetic. I remember I was more interested in the whole fabrication process verses drawing and painting. Although I did draw and paint when I was little, but I preferred punching holes in paper and you know that sort of thing.  So I would say that would be my earliest recollection of making stuff.Erik Wolken Right. So you are an active maker. You liked to be involved in the making. You weren't a passive maker.03:47 Wendy Maruyama Right. Got to be more than just a piece of paper and crayons. I want to ...Even if it meant crumpling paper up or stabbing a piece of paper with a dowel rod, or...Robb Helmkamp Not just making marks but making holes in things too, changing the shape of it.Wendy MaruyamaRipping things apart. I remember needle craft stuff too. Like working with yarn and string.  And of course you know back in the 50s the kinds of toys one would get would be very much based on gender and I never got the little hammers and the screwdriver kits for kids, you know. I got the sewing kit and the dolls and that kind of thing. So hopefully that changed a little bit now, but I do remember that pretty clearly because I would go to my cousin's house. I had male cousins and they all had the really cool cars (coins?). That wasn't made available to me because I guess mom felt like I needed more of a  Homemaking Type Kit.Erik Wolken What was your first introduction and attraction to furniture and woodworkin